Oh yeah, he has a "unique skill set" that normal people simply don't have. And/or he needs to be paid more than 99% of the players in the league in order to attract other "best and brightest" executives.

...when the ump messes up in baseball, the ump comes out and says "I messed up"when the ref messes up in hockey, he doesn't say anything, eventually bettman says the ref made the right call. if anything, the fans are wrong for messing up the call.

Someone post a list of the players that actually make more than him. It will be enlightening to see all the players excluded that do their jobs much more effectively and that more effectively advance the league.

SamFlagg:For the record compared to the commissioners of the other three major sports (in the United States) Gary isn't that bad.

That's not a defense mind you, more like saying 'of all the ways you can be executed, lethal injection really isn't that bad.'

Statisical analysis of each league's commisioner salary backs that up. By a percentage of the league's revenues, Bettman's pay isn't any different from the money handed out to Stern or Selig (only Goodell's salary is significantly lower, percentage-wise, and that's probably because the NFL is the 800-lb gorilla of North American pro sports).

No, most of the hate for him comes from real hockey fans who don't want to ever see the day where "Kovalchuk: The Decision II" comes to air. Nothing would make that idiot Bettman more happy than that kind of exposure. We hate him because he's been the face of the Disneyfication of this sport for a while now. We're not soccer fans, we don't claim that our sport's going to sweep America by storm, and most NHL fans will tell you that hockey in the desert was a bad idea for the sport.

//to real fans the NHL is just a component. real fans see the game beyond that, mostly from playing or watching other levels of the game.

Roger Arseways:most NHL fans will tell you that hockey in the desert was a bad idea for the sport.

How the hell is it bad for the sport? It might be bad for the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise, but furthering the NHL brand isn't bad for the sport.

Really, I'm sick of people scapegoating Bettman and expansion/relocation to the extent that they do. Most of the arguments against either have little basis in fact and just run off pure emotion for something to b*tch about. It gets old seeing the same damn complaints year after year, as well as reading my own responses, which are beginning to sound like recordings. Hell, maybe I should just go ahead and make a macro for these threads...

swahnhennessy:Really, I'm sick of people scapegoating Bettman and expansion/relocation to the extent that they do. Most of the arguments against either have little basis in fact and just run off pure emotion for something to b*tch about. It gets old seeing the same damn complaints year after year, as well as reading my own responses, which are beginning to sound like recordings. Hell, maybe I should just go ahead and make a macro for these threads...

We oppose Bettman's efforts because it hasn't furthered the game in places that matter. I think he's a bad Commissioner because he lost a season due to a lockout and has been following the same formula that's ruined the NBA. Marketing the game as a collection of superstars tends to draw resentment from those of us who appreciate hockey as a pure team sport where the superstars get results or shut up. Ever wonder why there's lingering resentment over the way that Crosby/Ovechkin have been pushed by the league? It goes against every value that those of us who know the game appreciate it for.

swahnhennessy:If you're looking for someone to heap your hockey scorn upon, give it to the guys signing Bettman's paychecks. You can most likely start with the owner of your favorite team.

But my team doesn't have an owner.

Anyway, he does make more money than he deserves, but at least the NHL is in better shape than MLB (no salary cap, no forward thinking from Bud "Mr. Magoo" Selig) and the NBA (where the inmates run the asylum and they have a lockout coming in a year or 2 which I think will lead to a cancelled season).

Seriously, the league has gotten better under his watch. You can't say the same for any other league.

...when the ump messes up in baseball, the ump comes out and says "I messed up"when the ref messes up in hockey, he doesn't say anything, eventually bettman says the ref made the right call. if anything, the fans are wrong for messing up the call.

You know, I hate Bettman, but hockey is in pretty good shape on the ice. The hockey's the most entertaining it's been since the 80's ( thanks to the khl as far as i'm concerned. They've got a salary cap so teams are for the most part, on an even playing field. There's parity...now if only we could get rid of the dead teams in the southern states.

We oppose Bettman's efforts because it hasn't furthered the game in places that matter. I think he's a bad Commissioner because he lost a season due to a lockout and has been following the same formula that's ruined the NBA. Marketing the game as a collection of superstars tends to draw resentment from those of us who appreciate hockey as a pure team sport where the superstars get results or shut up. Ever wonder why there's lingering resentment over the way that Crosby/Ovechkin have been pushed by the league? It goes against every value that those of us who know the game appreciate it for.

"In places that matter"? Can you define what makes a place matter more than another place? IMO, a place that matters is one that holds growth potential for hockey. Somehow I think your idea of a place that matters is somewhere that is already saturated by hockey but just wants its own team. That it?

"He" didn't lose a season due to a lockout. The fault of the lockout lies solely with the NHLPA who thought the players making 75% or more of the revenue was a perfectly normal thing and were willing to lose a season to hold onto it. Given how well they've done since, it's pretty clear they were wrong.

As for the resentment over pushing stars over teams, that is a 100% subjective evaluation that says nothing about Bettman's qualities. You may not like it, but you can't point to it and say its wrong.

Bettman has done absolute wonders for the NHL, especially in Canada where, without him, there would be no Oilers, no Senators, probably no Flames, and there wouldn't be hints of returning to Winnipeg and Quebec either. He brought expenses under control and has things where teams don't have payrolls 60-70m apart from each other.

In the end, he more than deserves his salary. He has his job for however long he wants it, because he's damn good at it.

Tryfan:"In places that matter"? Can you define what makes a place matter more than another place? IMO, a place that matters is one that holds growth potential for hockey. Somehow I think your idea of a place that matters is somewhere that is already saturated by hockey but just wants its own team. That it?

A place that matters is a place where the barn will be 90%+ filled per night and regional TV ratings over 0.5. Bettman expanded to the sun belt to increase the potential for national TV ratings and exposure, and all it's left the league is with a contract with Versus. The strength of the league lies in the regional networks, and markets like Florida, Phoenix, Atlanta redux and Raleigh are not dedicated to their teams, even if they win. The other fallout of the lockout was basically the NHL marketing department writing the rulebook. It upset me to see the NHL add the shootout since it was essentially a gimmick for TV so they can get more highlights on SportsCenter. It's the change of the culture in the NHL from a league that thrived in its niche status to selling superstars and gimmicks.

Fortunately, I can watch good hockey elsewhere. Under Bettman's rule, the NHL has definitely lost what made it special in the first place, nationally-broadcast games are just another Disneyfied sports-themed entertainment program.

Killer Cars:In 60 years, textbooks might cover "The Great Southern Expansion" in the same light as "The Cultural Revolution".

/Godwined Mao'd

In 60 years, the "Great Southern Expansion" will be regularly producing hockey talent in southern states, not just the northern ones, and the US will have talented players commensurate with its population. It's too soon to declare the move south a failure, the kids influenced by it in any significant numbers are only just starting to get to the age where they are trying to get into junior hockey. Two kids got drafted out of Florida in the latest NHL draft, both of them were about 4 when the Panthers and Lightning made their first playoff appearances followed by instantaneous crash and burn the next season.

A place that matters is a place where the barn will be 90%+ filled per night and regional TV ratings over 0.5. Bettman expanded to the sun belt to increase the potential for national TV ratings and exposure, and all it's left the league is with a contract with Versus. The strength of the league lies in the regional networks, and markets like Florida, Phoenix, Atlanta redux and Raleigh are not dedicated to their teams, even if they win. The other fallout of the lockout was basically the NHL marketing department writing the rulebook. It upset me to see the NHL add the shootout since it was essentially a gimmick for TV so they can get more highlights on SportsCenter. It's the change of the culture in the NHL from a league that thrived in its niche status to selling superstars and gimmicks.

Bettman is responsible for exactly ONE sunbelt team - Atlanta. He did not "expand to the sunbelt", nor was it even his idea.

Also, the league's expansion got them two national TV deals, one of which was $600m. That they did not last is a testament to how bad the hockey was during those years - and the dead puck era was VERY bad, no matter what dinosaurs such as Ron MacLean think. Be that as it may, he still got them in the first place.

The rest of your dislikes are just personal opinions, that really don't reflect on Bettman at all, since I'm pretty sure his job standard isn't to just make YOU happy.

Tryfan, just give up man. You are making too much sense in a FARK thread.

I worked at one of the largest hockey equipment distributors in North America, and every year we saw sales rise in places like North Carolina, Florida and Texas. There are rinks and programs in places where there were none 10 years ago. You can say what you will about Bettman and the NHL, but there is marketable proof that the GAME of hockey has spread to corners of the US where it never was before.

Roger Arseways:Ever wonder why there's lingering resentment over the way that Crosby/Ovechkin have been pushed by the league? It goes against every value that those of us who know the game appreciate it for.

There's "lingering resentment" because people on the internet are whiny farking babies who hate everything that someone else tells them is good or popular. Meanwhile in real life, the Caps and Penguins and Ovechkin and Crosby draw great ratings/attendance both locally and nationally, sell a ton of jerseys, etc.

But according to the internet, how DARE the NHL promote the shiat out of the two best players in the world. REAL hockey fans know that they should be promoting (player on MY favorite team), you noobs can have your "Crosby" and "Ovechkin" heh.

TedAlsoRises:I worked at one of the largest hockey equipment distributors in North America, and every year we saw sales rise in places like North Carolina, Florida and Texas. There are rinks and programs in places where there were none 10 years ago. You can say what you will about Bettman and the NHL, but there is marketable proof that the GAME of hockey has spread to corners of the US where it never was before.

Just look at the entry draft, every year more and more Americans are picked and they are from more and more states--not just Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, etc.

ElwoodCuse:But according to the internet, how DARE the NHL promote the shiat out of the two best players in the world. REAL hockey fans know that they should be promoting (player on MY favorite team), you noobs can have your "Crosby" and "Ovechkin" heh.

My player did get that treatment -- Ryan Miller. The 1st game after the break was Buffalo-Pittsburgh, and I knew Miller was going to sit for Lalime. No question. Meanwhile, the fine folks at ESPN (Linda Cohn, specifically) said that was a terrible idea and they should have Crosby-Miller II that night so that they could lead SportsCenter. I'm sure Lindy would have weighed that argument with the appropriate amount of consideration if he heard it.

It's not an individual game like the NBA, where one name is recognized as the face of a team. It's a team sport, and real sports fans want real analysis, not the Disney baby crap. By virtue of setting the league's narrative that it is all about stars and catering to interests that demand that a marketable face be pushed (regardless of past/present/current performance), Bettman's lowered the prestige of the game.

//yes, I am a big Don Cherry fan. that guy is 100% hockey, he's what's right about the game, not those clowns on TV pretending to care.

Roger Arseways:My player did get that treatment -- Ryan Miller. The 1st game after the break was Buffalo-Pittsburgh, and I knew Miller was going to sit for Lalime. No question. Meanwhile, the fine folks at ESPN (Linda Cohn, specifically) said that was a terrible idea and they should have Crosby-Miller II that night so that they could lead SportsCenter. I'm sure Lindy would have weighed that argument with the appropriate amount of consideration if he heard it.

You know, I'm gonna cry when Miller gets shipped out to detroit. He does deserve to win at least one ring though. Dynamite goalie. Detroit born and raised, you know that'll be the first team to pitch to him when UFA time comes around. Can only hope the Sabres will make it to SCF or win Cup by the time that happens so we have a hope in hell of keeping him.

Do you think the sabres will be decent next year with Kassian, Gerbe, McCormick, Ennis and Weber all showing up? I know Gerbe and Ennis played a few times towards the end of the season, Ennis was good but tiny guys are at such a disadvantage in today's NHL. Darcy has made basically no moves I approve of, what the hell was he thinking with Rob Niedermayer? Scotts far less talented brother who is way over the hill, who was never that great even in his prime. And a forward, who don't age as well as Dmen.

Plus most of our FA dmen shipped out, Lydman and Tallinder were definetely our #2 and #3. Now we have.. montadour... and rivet.. *puke*

I was hoping we'd pick up Pat Sharp from Chicago. What a steal that would be.

Gerbe+2nd to Toronto for Kaberle. Book it! TO will never get what they want for him, and they need forward depth.

Syllabic:You know, I'm gonna cry when Miller gets shipped out to detroit. He does deserve to win at least one ring though. Dynamite goalie. Detroit born and raised, you know that'll be the first team to pitch to him when UFA time comes around. Can only hope the Sabres will make it to SCF or win Cup by the time that happens so we have a hope in hell of keeping him.

Do you think the sabres will be decent next year with Kassian, Gerbe, McCormick, Ennis and Weber all showing up? I know Gerbe and Ennis played a few times towards the end of the season, Ennis was good but tiny guys are at such a disadvantage in today's NHL. Darcy has made basically no moves I approve of, what the hell was he thinking with Rob Niedermayer? Scotts far less talented brother who is way over the hill, who was never that great even in his prime. And a forward, who don't age as well as Dmen.

Plus most of our FA dmen shipped out, Lydman and Tallinder were definetely our #2 and #3. Now we have.. montadour... and rivet.. *puke*

I was hoping we'd pick up Pat Sharp from Chicago. What a steal that would be.

Gerbe+2nd to Toronto for Kaberle. Book it! TO will never get what they want for him, and they need forward depth.

as far as Miller's concerned, it doesn't need to come to that, necessarily. and that's by building a winner in the next 2 years. you're forgetting about Kennedy, I liked how he handled his business last year. Ennis was one of the bright spots of the playoffs so hopefully he keeps it up.

look at it this way -- the reason they lost is simple: 0/22 (not looking it up) on the power play in that series against Boston. and the PP system isn't bad, but it's not one where you want Toni farking Lydman to take the shot. Hank was a vestige of the last time they took a run and like Max, Miro and the bunch, it's time to go. I'm willing to spend this year building the blue line with Myers and want to see him get the C then too. fix the GD power play and the rest of your team is fine. Miller's still a world-class guy and he'll play hard, Lalime gets a bad rap but he's willing to work hard and if not then try Enroth or something. Miller can't go more than 65 games, that's the key here. gotta keep him fresh, and that's on the offense. I hope Darcy lands Kyle Wellwood, he's a tough player who would fill a gap and get those lines a little more hard-nosed. Overall it looks like they'll have a decent team, but i'm more concerned about the defense (and their role on the PP) than anything else at this point, and i'll accept as low as 10th if it means developing that blue line into a winner next year. my MVP is Kaleta, he's the best bodychecker in the business.